Plasma display apparatus comprising connector

ABSTRACT

A plasma display apparatus comprising a connector is provided. The plasma display apparatus comprises a plasma display panel comprising an electrode of a predetermined width and a connector comprising an electrode line of a width narrower than the predetermined width of the electrode to supply a driving signal to the electrode. A distance between the electrode line and an adjacent electrode line is longer than a distance between the electrode and an adjacent electrode.

This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)on Patent Application No. 2005-0013327 filed in Korea on Feb. 17, 2005the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The document relates to a plasma display apparatus comprising aconnector.

2. Description of the Background Art

Generally, a plasma display apparatus comprises a plasma display paneland a driving unit for driving the plasma display panel. The plasmadisplay apparatus has excellent characteristics such as self-luminance,a high-speed response and a wide viewing angle, and thus the plasmadisplay apparatus has been widely adopted.

The plasma display apparatus comprises a connector for supplying adriving signal to electrodes of the plasma display panel. Use of theconnector reduces manufacturing costs and allows for greater automationof a manufacturing process. The connector comprises COF (chip-on-film),TCP (tape carrier package) or FPC (flexible printed circuit).

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a connector of a related artplasma display apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, a conductive adhesive film5 comprising conductive particles is temporarily compressed on electrodelines 3 of a connector 1. Afterwards, as shown in FIG. 2, when heat isapplied to the conductive adhesive film 5, the conductive adhesive film5 is compressed between a plasma display panel 2 and the connector 1 bythe applied force with respect to a compression reference point. Thus,the conductive adhesive film 5 expanded by the heat connects theelectrode line 3 of the conductive adhesive film 5 to an electrode 4 ofthe plasma display panel 2. The conductive adhesive film 5 may be ananisotropic conductive film (ACF).

A width W1 of the electrode line 3 of the connector 1 is equal to awidth W2 of the electrode 4 of the plasma display panel 2. When theelectrode 4 of the plasma display panel 2 is imperfectly aligned withthe electrode line 3 of the connector 1 in a compression process, aninsulation distance L1 between the electrode lines 3 may decrease. Whenthe insulation distance L1 between the electrode lines 3 decreases, theinsulation between the electrode lines 3 is insufficient due to thegeneration of a migration of an electrode material.

The migration of the electrode material in the electrode 4 of the plasmadisplay panel 2 is that the ionized electrode material is moved due tothe electric potential difference between the electrode lines 3. Whenthe migration is generated in the electrode 4 of the plasma displaypanel 2, the electrode material ionized moves to the adjacent electrodeline 3 of the connector 1.

In other words, the electrode material is hydrolyzed by water absorbedon the surface of the electrode and then the electrode material isionized. The electrode material ionized moves to the adjacent electrodeline 3 along the electrode line 3 due to the electric potentialdifference between the electrode lines 3 which causes the generation ofa short between the electrode lines 3. Further, since the electrodematerial ionized moves to the adjacent electrode line 3, the electrodesmay be opened. In particular, when the electrode 4 of the plasma displaypanel 2 comprises silver (Ag), the migration is generated moreremarkably. Thus, a likelihood of the generation of the short betweenthe electrode lines 3 is higher.

Accordingly, when the width W1 of the electrode line 3 is equal to thewidth W2 of the electrode 4, the insulation distance L1 decreases due tothe imperfect alignment between the electrode line 3 and the electrode4. As a result, the likelihood of the generation of the short betweenthe electrode lines 3 due to the migration of the electrode material ishigh.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another connector of a related artplasma display apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, when a width a₁ of anelectrode line 3 is wider than a width b₁ of an electrode 4, alikelihood of the generation of a short between the electrode lines 3due to the migration of the electrode material is high. In other words,when the width a₁ of the electrode line 3 is wider than the width b₁ ofthe electrode 4, an insulation distance L1 between the electrode lines 3decreases. Thus, the likelihood of the generation of the short betweenthe electrode lines 3 due to the migration of the electrode material ishigh. Furthermore, when the electrode 4 is imperfectly aligned with theelectrode line 3, the insulation distance L1 between the electrode lines3 further decreases. Thus, the likelihood of the generation of the shortbetween the electrode lines 3 due to the migration of the electrodematerial is higher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve at least theproblems and disadvantages of the related art.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma display apparatuscomprising a connector having a structure of an electrode line capableof securing an insulation distance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a plasmadisplay apparatus comprising a plasma display panel comprising a plasmadisplay panel comprising an electrode and a connector comprising anelectrode line connected to the electrode to supply a driving pulse tothe electrode, and a width of the electrode line is narrower than thewidth of the electrode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a plasmadisplay apparatus comprising a plasma display panel comprising anelectrode and a connector comprising an electrode line connected to theelectrode to supply a driving pulse to the electrode, and a width of themostlower part of a section of the electrode line opposed to theelectrode is narrower than the width of the mostupper part of thesection of the electrode line, and the width of the mostupper part ofthe section of the electrode line is narrower than the width of theelectrode.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is aplasma display apparatus comprising a plasma display panel comprising anelectrode and a connector comprising an electrode line connected to theelectrode to supply a driving pulse to the electrode, and a width of themostlower part of a section of the electrode line opposed to theelectrode is same as the width of the mostupper part of the section ofthe electrode line, and the width of the mostupper part is narrower thanthe width of the electrode.

The plasma display apparatus according to the embodiments of the presentinvention can reduce a likelihood of the generation of a short betweenthe electrode lines due to the migration of an electrode material.

The plasma display apparatus according to the embodiments of the presentinvention can reduce a likelihood of the generation of a short betweenthe electrode lines due to the migration when the electrode lines isimperfectly aligned with the electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiment of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the following drawings in which like numerals refer to likeelements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a connector of a related artplasma display apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another connector of a related artplasma display apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a plasma display apparatus according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the plasma display apparatusaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plane view of a plasma display apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the plasma display apparatusaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in a moredetailed manner with reference to the drawings.

A plasma display apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a plasma display panel comprising an electrode and aconnector comprising an electrode line connected to the electrode tosupply a driving pulse to the electrode, and a width of the electrodeline is narrower than the width of the electrode.

The electrode may comprise at least one of a scan electrode, a sustainelectrode or a data electrode.

The electrode may comprise cooper (Cu) or silver (Ag).

The width of the electrode may be equal to or more than 1.1 times thewidth of the electrode line to less than or equal to 1.5 times the widthof the electrode line.

A conductive adhesive film may be interposed between the electrode andthe electrode line, and the conductive adhesive film compressed by theelectrode and the electrode line may connect the electrode to theelectrode line.

The conductive adhesive film may be an anisotropic conductive film(ACF).

A distance between the electrode line and an adjacent electrode line maybe longer than a distance between the electrode and an adjacentelectrode.

The electrode line may be plated with nickel.

A nickel thin layer may be formed on a surface of the electrode line.

A nickel thin layer may be formed on a surface of the electrode lineoverlapped with the electrode.

The connector may comprise at least one of TCP, COF or FPC.

A plasma display apparatus according to another embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a plasma display panel comprising anelectrode and a connector comprising an electrode line connected to theelectrode to supply a driving pulse to the electrode, and a width of themostlower part of a section of the electrode line opposed to theelectrode is narrower than the width of the mostupper part of thesection of the electrode line, and the width of the mostupper part ofthe section of the electrode line is narrower than the width of theelectrode.

The electrode may comprise at least one of a scan electrode, a sustainelectrode or a data electrode.

The electrode may comprise Cu or Ag.

The width of the electrode is equal to or more than 1.1 times the widthof the mostupper part to less than or equal to 1.5 times the width ofthe mostupper par.

A distance between the electrode line and an adjacent electrode line maybe longer than a distance between the electrode and an adjacentelectrode.

A shape of the section of the electrode line may be a trapezoid.

A plasma display apparatus according to still another embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a plasma display panel comprising anelectrode and a connector comprising an electrode line connected to theelectrode to supply a driving pulse to the electrode, and a width of themostlower part of a section of the electrode line opposed to theelectrode is same as the width of the mostupper part of the section ofthe electrode line, and the width of the mostupper part is narrower thanthe width of the electrode.

The electrode may comprise at least one of a scan electrode, a sustainelectrode or a data electrode.

The electrode may comprise Cu or Ag.

The width of the electrode is equal to or more than 1.1 times the widthof the mostupper part to less than or equal to 1.5 times the width ofthe mostupper part.

A distance between the electrode line and an adjacent electrode line maybe longer than a distance between the electrode and an adjacentelectrode.

A shape of the section of the electrode line may be a square or arectangle.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 4 is a plane view of a plasma display apparatus according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, theplasma display apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a plasma display panel 12 comprising anelectrode 14 and a connector 11 comprising an electrode line 13connected to the electrode 14 to supply a driving pulse to the electrode14. A width of the electrode line 13 is narrower than the width of theelectrode 14.

The surface of the electrode line 13 may be plated with nickel. A nickelthin layer may be formed on the surface of the electrode line 13. Thenickel thin layer may be formed on a surface of the electrode line 13overlapped with the electrode 14.

The electrode 14 comprises at least one of a scan electrode, a sustainelectrode or a data electrode. In other word, a width of any one of thescan electrode, a sustain electrode or a data electrode may be greaterthan the width of the electrode line 13. And the width of each of twoelectrodes of the scan electrode, a sustain electrode or a dataelectrode may be greater than the width of the electrode line 13. Andthe width of each of the scan electrode, a sustain electrode or a dataelectrode may be greater than the width of the electrode line 13.

Moreover, the electrode 14 comprises copper (Cu) or silver (Ag). Theconnector 11 comprises any one of COF (chip-on-film), TCP (tape carrierpackage) or FPC (flexible printed circuit).

A conductive adhesive film 15 is coalesced with the plasma display panel12 and the connector 11 to provide an insulation between the electrodes14 and an insulation between the electrode lines 13. The conductiveadhesive film 15 may be an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A′ of FIG. 4. Asshown in FIG. 5, the electrode line 13 of the connector 11 iselectrically connected to the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel12 by the conductive adhesive film 15.

The conductive adhesive film 15 between the connector 11 and the plasmadisplay panel 12 provides the insulation between the electrodes 14 andthe insulation between the electrode lines 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, a width a₃ of the mostlower part of a section of theelectrode line 13 opposed to the electrode 14 is narrower than the widtha₂ of the mostupper part of the section of the electrode line, and thewidth a₂ of the mostupper part of the section of the electrode line 13is narrower than the width b₂ of the electrode 14. A shape of thesection of the electrode line is a trapezoid.

Therefore, an insulation distance L₃ between the electrode lines 13 islonger than a distance D between the electrodes 14. The width b₂ of theelectrode 14 is equal to or more than 1.1 times the width a₂ of themostupper part to less than or equal to 1.5 times the width a₂ of themostupper part.

Since the insulation distance L₃ between the electrode lines 13 islonger than the insulation distances L1 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the likelihoodof generation of a short of between the electrode lines 13 due to amigration of an electrode material decreases.

The conductive adhesive film 15 is temporarily compressed on theelectrode line 13 of the connector 11. The electrode lines 13 is alignedwith the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel 12 and then theconductive adhesive film 15 is compressed on the connector 11 and theplasma display panel 12 by the applied force with respect to acompression reference point.

Since the width a₂ of the mostupper part is narrower than the width b₂of the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel 12 in the firstembodiment of the present invention, although the electrode lines 13 areimperfectly aligned with the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel12, the likelihood of generation of the short of between the electrodelines 13 by the migration of the electrode material decreases.

In other words, since the width a₂ of the mostupper part is narrowerthan the width b₂ of the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel 12,the insulation distance L₃ between the electrode lines 13 is longer thanthe insulation distances L1 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Thus, the likelihood ofthe generation of the short of between the electrode lines 13 by themigration of the electrode material decreases. In particular, when theelectrode 14 comprises Ag, the likelihood of the generation of the shortof between the electrode lines 13 due to the migration of the electrode14 decreases.

FIG. 6 is a plane view of a plasma display apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is across-sectional view of the plasma display apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectionalview taken along lines B-B′ of FIG. 6. A width a₃ of the mostlower partof a section of an electrode line 13 opposed to the electrode 14 is sameas the width a₂ of the mostupper part of the section of the electrodeline 13, and the width a₂ of the mostupper part of the section of theelectrode line 13 is narrower than the width b₂ of the electrode 14. Ashape of the section of the electrode line is a square or a rectangle.

The surface of the electrode line 13 may be plated with nickel. Further,a nickel thin layer may be formed on the surface of the electrode line13. The nickel thin layer may be formed on a surface of the electrodeline 13 overlapped with the electrode 14.

An electrode 14 comprises at least one of a scan electrode, a sustainelectrode or a data electrode. a width of any one of the scan electrode,a sustain electrode or a data electrode may be greater than the width ofthe electrode line 13. And the width of each of two electrodes of thescan electrode, a sustain electrode or a data electrode may be greaterthan the width of the electrode line 13. And the width of each of thescan electrode, a sustain electrode or a data electrode may be greaterthan the width of the electrode line 13.

Moreover, the electrode 14 comprises Cu or Ag. A connector 11 is any oneof COF, TCP or FPC. A conductive adhesive film 15 is attached with aplasma display panel 12 and the connector 11 to provide an insulationbetween the electrodes 14 and an insulation between the electrode lines13. The conductive adhesive film 15 may be an ACF.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the width a₂ of the mostupper part isnarrower than a width b₂ of the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel12, an insulation distance L₃ between the electrode lines 13 is longerthan the insulation distances L1 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The width b₂ of theelectrode 14 is equal to or more than 1.1 times the width a₂ of themostupper part to less than or equal to 1.5 times the width a₂ of themostupper part.

The conductive adhesive film 15 is temporarily compressed on theelectrode line 13 of the connector 11. The electrode lines 13 is alignedwith the electrode 14 of the plasma display panel 12 and then theconductive adhesive film 15 is compressed on the connector 11 and theplasma display panel 12 by the applied force with respect to acompression reference point.

The conductive adhesive film 15 is firstly compressed on the electrodeline 13 of the connector 11 before the electrode 14 is compressed on theconductive adhesive film 15 of the plasma display panel 12 in the firstand second embodiments of the present invention. However, the conductiveadhesive film 15 may be firstly compressed on the electrode 14 of theplasma display panel 12.

The embodiment of the invention being thus described, the same may bevaried in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A plasma display apparatus comprising: a plasma display panelcomprising an electrode; and a connector comprising an electrode lineconnected to the electrode to supply a driving pulse to the electrode,wherein a width of a lowermost part of a section of the electrode lineis narrower than the width of the electrode.
 2. The plasma displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the width of the lowermost part of thesection of the electrode line is narrower than a width of an uppermostpart of the section of the electrode line.
 3. The plasma displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the width of the uppermost part of thesection of the electrode line is narrow than the width of the electrode.4. The plasma display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the width of theelectrode is equal to a width of an uppermost of the electrode.
 5. Theplasma display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises atleast one of a scan electrode, a sustain electrode or a data electrode.6. The plasma display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodecomprises Cu or Ag.
 7. The plasma display apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe width of the electrode is equal to or more than 1.1 times the widthof an uppermost part of the section of the electrode line to less thanor equal to 1.5 times the width of the uppermost part of the section ofthe electrode line.
 8. The plasma display apparatus of claim 1, whereina distance between an uppermost of the electrode line and an adjacentuppermost of the electrode line is longer than a distance between theelectrode and an adjacent electrode.
 9. The plasma display apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the connector is any one of a COF, a TCP, a FPC. 10.The plasma display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a conductive adhesivefilm is interposed between the electrode and the electrode line, and theconductive adhesive film compressed by the electrode and the electrodeline connects the electrode to the electrode line.
 11. The plasmadisplay apparatus of claim 10, wherein the conductive adhesive filmcomprises an anisotropic conductive film (ACE).
 12. The plasma displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the electrode line is narrowthan a distance between the electrode and an adjacent electrode line.